IG-88, also known as IG-88B, or as a Phlutdroid, was a rogue, deadly masculine IG-series assassin droid manufactured by Holowan Laboratories who worked as a bounty hunter. Following the Battle of Hoth, he and several other bounty hunters were summoned by Darth Vader to the Executor and hired to track down the Millennium Falcon and her Rebel crew. Unable to track his quarry, IG-88 trailed his chief rival, Boba Fett, to Bespin, where the bounty hunter nearly destroyed the assassin droid, however IG-88 managed to survive. At some point IG-88 undertook a software infiltration into Death Star II, but his plan was single-handedly thwarted by R2-Q5. The droid later met with mercenary Bazine Netal to speak about the location of the Millennium Falcon.

He now joins the Mandalorians, a fictional people from the planet Mandalore, first conceptualized for The Empire Strikes Back as a group of white-armored “supercommandos”, the idea developed into a single bounty hunter character, Boba Fett.

“Production on the first Star Wars live-action streaming series has begun! After the stories of Jango and Boba Fett, another warrior emerges in the Star Wars universe. The Mandalorian is set after the fall of the Empire and before the emergence of the First Order. We follow the travails of a lone gunfighter in the outer reaches of the galaxy far from the authority of the New Republic. The series will be written and executive produced by Emmy-nominated producer and actor Jon Favreau, as previously announced, with Dave Filoni (Star Wars: The Clone Wars, Star Wars Rebels) directing the first episode. Additional episodic directors include Deborah Chow (Jessica Jones), Rick Famuyiwa (Dope), Bryce Dallas Howard (Solemates), and Taika Waititi (Thor: Ragnarok). It will be executive produced by Jon Favreau, Dave Filoni, Kathleen Kennedy, and Colin Wilson. Karen Gilchrist will serve as co-executive producer. “

The Mandalorian Star Wars TV Series First Image

So now we have our look at that “lone gunfighter,” and what a look it is. We still don’t know the gender of the character, which is obviously by design. But no matter what, this is an imposing, confident presence, with a great mix of Mandalorian armor and personal, functional additions. And they were not lying about the gunslinger thing. The Mandalorian has a large gun on their back as well as one on their hip.

Then there’s that list of directors, which is different from the one that was rumored a few days back. Filoni was kind of a given, but it’s still incredibly exciting to see him called into live-action as he helped drive The Clone Wars and Rebels to incredible success. No one is more deserving. Taika Waititi is basically the coolest addition ever, to the point where it’s almost disappointing he’s only working on the TV show. (At least so far.) And there’s diversity too! Chow not only worked on Jessica Jones, but The Man in the High Castle, Better Call Saul, Iron Fist, Mr. Robot and Fear the Walking Dead among others. This appointment makes her one of the first women to direct a live-action Star Wars project. Famuyiwa is one of the biggest fanboy directors out there, and Dallas Howard, while primarily known as an actress, obviously has Star Wars in her blood. (Her dad is Ron Howard, if you need it spelled out)

It was also revealed that production has begun and that along with Favreau and Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy, the show will be executive produced by Dave Filoni, Colin Wilson, and Karen Gilchrist, who is a co-executive producer.

So what are we still missing? The casting is the biggest thing yet to be revealed. Who is under that mask? We don’t know. Also the release date, though that’s surely coming once Disney has some news about its streaming service. For now, though, we are left to stare at that awesome image and wait for The Mandalorian to arrive.